If you want to shape the future of your neighborhood, community board applications are now open.
Considered the grassroots of local government, community boards weigh in on topics ranging from local land use matters to liquor licenses, transportation projects, and more.
With 18 community districts, Brooklyn has more community boards than any other borough, each made up of up to 50 volunteers who live, work, or have a strong interest in their community. They work with city agencies, elected officials, and local leaders to ensure their neighborhood’s perspectives and needs are incorporated into the decisions that will affect them, including housing development and public transit, as well as the city’s budget and services like sanitation.
Community boards discuss issues from transit to sanitation and more. File photo by Kevin Duggan
All New York residents 16 and older can serve on their community boards, which meet each month from September through June within the district. Board members must attend the monthly meeting in person, join a committee, and attend their committee’s meetings; the time commitment is about 6 to 8 hours a month. Each community board sets its own priorities, so getting involved matters even more.
Reynoso’s vision of a Brooklyn that works for everyone includes fully funded, fully resourced community boards that reflect the borough’s diversity. As agency head, Borough President Reynoso has redirected Borough Hall resources to advance community boards’ independence and long-term sustainability through operational training and support, and has advocated with relevant City agencies to secure critical resources.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso wants community boards to reflect the diversity of the borough. File photo by Gabriele Holtermann
“The people who know our communities best are those who live, work, and raise their families in them, and those are the voices we need at the table,” the Brooklyn Beep said in a statement. “Brooklyn is one of the most diverse boroughs in our city, and I want our community boards to reflect the communities they serve. If you are passionate about your neighborhood, motivated to make a difference, and want to be a voice for your community, I encourage you to apply and get involved with your local community board.”
The application process is open until Feb.8, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. To identify and learn more about your community district, visit communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov.
New applicants must first fill out an application form with information about themselves and their interest in joining a Brooklyn community board. They will then have a brief, virtual conversation with a member of the Brooklyn Borough President’s team and will be notified once board selections have been made.